Driving connection for metal-planing machines.



' No. 773,240. PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904.

- A W. WHITCOMB. I

DRIVING CONNECTION FOR METAL PLANING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9,1902.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

No. 773,240. I v P'ATBNTED 001. 25, 1904.

A. w. WHITCOMB. DRIVING CONNECTION FOR METAL PLANING MACHINES.

APPLICATION TILED JUNE 9, 1902. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 III119711508"; .El wflJ/z draw/2.

No. 773,240. PATBNTEDOGT. 25, 1904.

I A. w. WHITGOMB. DRIVING CONNECTION FOR METAL PLANING MAGHINBS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9,1902.

I I n 'CUZ'Kze'sses; Int/en or:

' UNITED STATES Patented October 25, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALONZO WV. WVHITGOMB, OF -WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

DRIVING CONNECTION FOR NIETAL -PLANING MACHINESL SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 773,240, dated October 25, 1904. Applicationfiled June 9,1902. Serial No. 110,742. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALoNzo WV. VVHITooMB, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Driving Connection forMetal-Planing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a driving mechanism for operating ametal-planing machine.

The especial object of this invention is to provide strong, simple, andeflicient driving connections which will increase the range of speed atwhich a metal-planing machine may be operated on its cutting strokeswithout changing the speed ofthe return strokes.

To these ends this invention consists of the driving connections for ametal-planing machine and of the combinations of partstherewith, ashereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claimsat the end of this specification. A

In the accompanying three sheets of drawings, Figure 1 is a side view,partially broken away, of a metal-planing machine provided with drivingconnections constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is anenlarged side view of the counter-shaft and parts carried thereby. Fig.3 is an end view thereof. Fig. e is a detail view of the frictionalratchet connection between the pulley which is belted to drive theplaner on its return stroke and the pulley which is belted to drive theplaner on its cutting stroke. Fig. 5 is a similar View illustrating theparts in a different relative position. Fig. 6 is a fragmentarysectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4, the spring beingomitted; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a modified form ofconstruction for obtaining a greater range of speed adjustment. I

In operating that class of planing-machines to which this inventionrelates it is now considered the best practice to arrange the drivingconnections to produce a quick return stroke of the planer-table. Inpractice the speed of the planer-table during its return stroke isusually as high as the operating connections and gearing of the planercan stand with safety. In all conditions of work on a planon its cuttingstroke.

. ing-machine this high-speed return stroke is desirable.

In the actual use of planing-machines which are required to do aconsiderable variety of work or on. which different metals are cut thebest results can be produced only when the planer-table can be actuatedat different speeds In the driving connections which have heretoforebeen employed for metal-planing machines it has already been proposed toprovide for operating the planers at different speeds; but in most ofsuch constructions the change of the cutting speed of a planing-machinehas heretofore involved a corresponding change of return speed.

The especial object of my present invention is to provide a drivingmechanism for metal-planing machines which will maintain vthe returnspeed of the planer-table at the highest practical limit,wbilepermitting a variation of the cutting speed of the planertable accordingto the material which is being worked or the character of the work beingperformed. To accomplish this object, the driving connections for ametal-planing machine constructed according to this invention comprise apulley belted to operate the planer-table on its return stroke, a pulleybelted to operate the planer-table on its cutting stroke, a specialconnection between the reversing-pulley and the cutting-stroke pulleyfor normally causing the cutting-stroke pulley to turn with thereversing-pulley, and means for turning the cutting-stroke pulley athigher speeds when desired, the special connection permitting this to bedone without changing the speed of the return-stroke pulley.

Referring to the accompanying drawings fora detail description of theapparatus embodying my invention, as shown in Fig. 1, A designates aplaner bed or base; B, the reciprocating table; C, the side frames forsupporting the cross-bar and planer-heads; D, the main driving-shaft ofthe planing-machine; E, a pulley thereon, which in the present instanceis driven by an open belt H to operate the planer-table on its returnstroke through any of the ordinary connections, and

(1 a pulley thereon, which in the present instance is operated by across-belt F to drive the planer-table on its cutting stroke through anyof the ordinary connections.

Referring to Sheets 2 and 3 of the drawings for a detail description ofthe countershaft and connections cofiperating therewith for driving theplaner-tal le, as shown in Fig. 2, 1O designates the brackets orshaft-hangers, journaled in which is a counter-shaft 11. Carried by eachof the shaft-hangers 10 is a belt-shifting mechanism for shifting one ofthe driving-belts. These belt-shifters are substantially of the sameconstruction and a description of one of these belt-shifters will besutlicient. As shown, an arm or bracket 12 extends down from each of theshaft-hangers 10, and pivoted on the lower end of the arm 12 is ashifting lever 12 connected by a link is to a sliding belt-fork 15,mounted on a rod 16 and held in place thereon by an end stop 17.Controlled by one of these beltshifters is a main driving-belt 18,normally running on a loose pulley 19 and which can be shifted onto apulley 20, fastened onto the shaft 11. Also fastened on the shaft 11 isthe large return-stroke pulley 21. The returnstroke pulley 21 isprovided near its hub with a flange having a ti-shaped groove 22 forreceiving a friction-dog 29, carried by the pulley 2a, which is beltedto operate the planertable on its cutting stroke. The pulley 2 1 ismounted loosely on the shaft 11 and formed integrally with the pulley24:, or secured thereto is a pulley 25, which may be operated by asupplemental driving-belt 27. The supplemental driving-belt 27 iscontrolled by the other one of the belt-shifters and normally runs onthe loose pulley 26. By means of this construction when the maindrivingbelt 18 is shifted from its loose pulley onto the tight pulleythe counter-shaft 11 will be driven, turning the reversingpulley 21,which reversing-pillley 21, through the friction pawl-and-ratchetmechanism hereinafter described, will turn the driving-pulley 2 1, sothat the planer-table will be operated on its cutting stroke at onespeed and on its return stroke at a higher speed. lVhen it is desired tooperate the planer-table at a higher speed on its cut-ting stroke, thesupplemental driving-belt 27 is shifted from its loose pulley 26 ontothe pulley 25, so that the high-speed d rivin g-belt 27 will then act toimpart a higher speed of rotation to the driving-pulley 24., the pawlconnection before referred to permitting this to be done withoutincreasing the speed of the reversing-pulley 21.

The pawl connection which 1 preferably employ for normally connectingthe reversing-pulley 21 with the driving-pulley 2% is most clearly shownin Figs. 4C, 5, and 6. A number of different connections may be employedfor this purpose; but in practice 1 preferably provide a frictionmwlmechanism which is adjusted so that when the parts are operated at highspeeds the centrifugal force will be sufficient to throw thefrictionpawl out from its normal position, so that the same will have norubbing or retarding action during the high-speed operation. As shown inFig. 4, a stud 28 is threaded into the flange of the driving-pulley 2 1,and pivoted on the stud 28 is a pawl 29, having a \I- surface which iseccentric to the stud 28. The pawl 29 is normally drawn into engagementwith the \/shaped groove 22, before referred to, by a spring 30,connected to a screw 31. which extends through a clip 32 and has anadjusting-nut. 33 threaded thereon. The adjusting-nut 33 is preferablyturned or set to position so that the tension of the spring will besufficient to hold the friction-pawl 29 into engagement with its grooveduring the normal operation of the machine; but the parts are preferablyadjusted so that when the speed is increased the centrifugal action willbe sufficient to throw the pawl 29 out from its normal position(illustrated in Fig. 1) into engagement with a stop 50, as illustratedin Fig. 5. For example, in practicel have adjusted these parts so thatat speeds of less than four hundred revolutions per minute the pawl willbe held by its spring in engagement with the V -shaped groove; but whenthe supplemental drivingbelt is brought into action to turn thedriving-pulley at higher speeds than four hundred to the minute the pawlwill move out to the position illustrated in Fig. 5 and will remain inits thrown-out position so long as the planer is being operated at thehigh speed, thus preventing any wear, drag, or noise being caused by thefriction-pawl.

In many of the ordinary uses for which metal-planing machines areemployed a change of two driving speeds for the planer-table will besuiiicient for all practical purposes-for example, one cutting speedbeing employed when cast-iron is being planed and a different cuttingspeed being employed when steel is being worked. In some cases, however,it may be desirable to secure a still wider range of adjustment, and inFig. 7 I have illustrated a construction for accomplishing this purpose.As shown in this figure, 4O designates a counter-shaft. Mounted looselyon the countershaft &0 is a reversing-pulley 4:1, and keyed to orotherwise carried by the reversingimb ley 11 is a pulley 42, adapted toreceive a main driving-belt 14, which normally runs on the loose pulley13. Secured rigidly on the counter-shaft 4E0 at the other side of thereversingpulley 41 is the drivingpulley 45, which maybe connected to thereversing-pulley by substantially the same form of frictionpawlconnection which has been already described. Also fastened rigidly ontothe countor-shaft is a pulley 16, adapted to receive either one of thehigher-speed driving-belts 48 and 51,which belts 48 and 51 normally runon loose pulleys 47 and 49, respectively: By means of this constructionwhen the drivingbelt 48 is moved onto the pulley 46 the cutting speed ofthe planer table may be increased to one speed, while when the otherhigh-speeddriving-beltis moved onto the pulley 46 the cutting speed ofthe planer-table may be still further increased. This same principle ofconstruction may be carried still further, if desired, by providingadditional tight and loose pulleys .on the counter-shaft 40, the numberof variations of speed which can be secured being limited only by thenumber of high-speed driving-belts which it is desirable to operate inconnection with each counter-shaft of the machine.

In both of the modifications which I' have illustrated herein theconstructions each comprise a counter shaft and a sleeve mounted uponthe counter-shaft, together with means for causingv atransmitting-pulley to be driven from the counter shaft when one cuttingspeed is desired and to be driven with the sleeve when a differentcutting speed is desired.

In practicing my invention I have usually provided the loose pulleyswith bushings of self-lubricating material, so that the countershaftequipped according to my invention may be operated for considerableperiods without special attention. For example, as illustrated in Fig.7, the pulleys 41, 43, 47, and 49 are illustrated as provided withspecial bushings. It is to be understood, however, that such bushingsare not essential to practicing my invention and can be omitted whendesired.

I am aware that numerous changes may be made in driving connections formetal-planing machines by those who are skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention as expressed in the claims. Ido not wish, therefore, to be limited to the constructions I have hereinshown and described; but

hat I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1'. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pulley,a belt extending therefrom to operate the planer-table on its returnstroke, a pulley, a belt extending therefrom to operate the planer-tableon its cutting stroke, and a connection between said pulleys, comprisinga pawl pivoted eccentrically on the cutting-stroke pulley, and a springnormally holding said pawl into engagement with a groove in thereversing-pulley, said parts being adjusted so that the pawl will bethrown out of its groove when the cutting-stroke pulley is turningfaster than its normal speed.

2. The combination of a counter-shaft, a tight pulley and a loose pulleymounted thereon, an additional pulley loosely mounted with reference tothe counter-shaft, means to rotate this additional pulley at a speeddifferent from the speed of the tight pulley, and means for operativelyconnecting the additional pulley to the counter-shaft.

3. The combination of counter shaft, a transmitting-pulley rigidlymounted thereon, a tight pulley to rotate the counter-shaft, a loosepulley for this tight pulley, an additional pulley loosely mounted withreference to the counter-shaft, means to rotate this additional pulleyat a speed different from the speed of the tight pulley mentioned andmeans for operatively connecting the same with the counter-shaft.

4. The combination of a counter-shaft, a tight pulley and a loose pulleymounted thereon, a rigidly-attached transmitting-pulley also mounted onthe counter-shaft, a sleeve loosely mounted on the counter-shaft, apulley tight on this sleeve to rotate the same, such pulley being drivenat a speed different from the speed of the tight pulley onthecounter-shaft and means for detachably locking the sleeve to thecountershaft.

5. The combination of a counter-shaft, two driving-pulleys, either oneof which may rotate said counter-shaft, one of these pulleys beingloosely mounted with reference to the other pulley and rotatable at aspeed different therefrom, a third pulley mounted on the shaft totransmit the rotation which the shaft receives from either of the twodriving-pulleys mentioned, and means arranged and operating so that thetransmitting-pulley is caused to be rotated by either of the twodriving-pulleys and to transmit different speeds accordingly.

6. The combination of a counter-shaft, a sleeve loosely carried thereon,a transmittingpulley on the counter-shaft and a transmittingpulley onthe sleeve, both rigidly mounted, means for rotating each, thecounter-shaft and the sleeve at speeds different from each other sleeveand counter-shaft to rotate together and at the same speed.

7. The combination of a counter-shaft, a transmitting-pulley rigidlymounted thereon, a sleeve loosely carried on the counter-shaft, atransmitting-pulley rigidly mounted on the sleeve, a driving-pulley forthe counter-shaft and a driving-pulley for the sleeve, both of themoperating at a speed different from each other, a loose pulley for each,means for shifting the belts of these pulleys and mechanism tooperatively connect the sleeve to the counter-shaft to drive the latterfrom the former, or to disconnect it therefrom.

' and mechanism operating in a manner to cause In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALONZO wwmrooivus.

Witnesses:

PHILIP W. SOUTHGATE, LoUIs W. SOUTHGATE.

